Joseph slepian



Patented May 29,r 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENTToFFIcE.

JOSEPH lSLEIPIAN, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ,ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

` Application filed December 9, 1919. Serial No. 343,518.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, Josnrri SLEPIAN, a citizen ot the United States, and a resident of VilkinsburO', in the county of Allegheny and State ot' l ennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrolytic Cells, otV which the following is a specification. i

My invention relates tovelectrolytic condensers, lightning arr-esters and the like, and, more particularly, to apparatus of the above designated character which is formed ,by employing a plurality of film-forming plates immersed in a. suitable electrolyte. .The primary object of my invention is to provide an electrolytic cell which shall serve the double purpose ot a condenser and lightning arrester and shall be exceptionally effective in either capacity.

Heretofore. many attempts have been made to construct a lightning arrester which would afford absoluteprotection to electrical apparatus connected to transmission lines, but few attempts have* resulted inthe provision of structures which could be depended upon. Oneof the main difficulties' in producing a `highly etfective lightning arrester resides in obtaining a structure which will act quickly enough `to provide the necessary protection. Another disadvantage of a great many eX- isting lightning arresters is `the fact` that .they cannot be depended upon after having been in service for some time.`

One object otmy invention resides, there- Ai'ore. inthe provision of an electrolytic cell which shall afford absolute protection to apparatus connected in a power circuit therewith and which maybe depended upon for an indefinite time toV act immediately upon any high-voltage surge to effectively discharge thesame. y ,c

. In order to operate an electrolytic condenser consisting of a `series of Acell units which are connected in series with an electrical power-circuit, it isfessential that the voltage be equally divided between the several cell units. Although some .existing condensers operate satisfactorily for la certainl lengthlof time, the unbalanced voltage conditionbecomes so aggravated after a certain period `ot' operation that the power factor of the condenser becomes excessively hiv'h.

tne object of my invention resides in the provision of an electrolytic condenser which shall divide the impressed voltage uniformly among its several c ell units and operate at a low power tacto-rV as long as it is connected y in the supply circuit.

A still further object ot' my invention is the construction ot an electr'olyticcondenser in which an exceptionallylow power factor shall exist for the entire period of time during which it is connected to asupply circuit.

Vith these and other objects in view, my invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the drawings, in the several views n of which corresponding numeralsV indicate y like parts, and then particularly pointed out in the claims. L 1 y In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electrolytic cell constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional view of the condenser shown f in Fig. l, having thetransformers displaced from their position shown Iin Fig. 1 in order to better illustrate their connection, and Fig.

3 is a transverse sectional view of a modilied form olf' electrolytic cell `constructed in lyte. In following one form of my invention, a plurality ofilm-forming plates, or

trays, may be maintained in spaced relation to form a plurality of cell units. 4The cell units are lformed, 'for instance, by'employing a plurality of trays, some ot' which act as common electrodes :for adjacent cell units. A condenser -formed .in this' manner may he connected in series withan electrical supply circui't'hy connecting` the upper andlower l electrodes to the supply line and lto ground, respectively. The electrodes of eaclrcell unit may be connected by a winding which is inductively related toa second' winding of the same number of turns and which .is ,Cony nected to the cell unit .embodying the -irst winding and to the next.cellunitinseries therewith, By connecting the ivariousfcell units, j which yare in series, between theY ground andthe supplyline, and by employ- 5 ing a primary and a secondary winding of a small transformerhavlng aI ratio of l, the voltage may be equally divided between the n various cell units.

-with respectto the solution in which they are immersed. I may employ this advantageous feature in the electrolytic cell above described by inserting an auxiliary electrode in eaclrofthe cell units and by connecting thegwinding, which is connected to the main electrodes of the various cell units, -to the auxiliary.. electrode also. The number of turns of. the winding included between the main electrodes of each cell, howeven are preferably. of a less number than the turns included between one offthe main electrodes and the auxiliary electrode. A higher voltage is thus impressed upon the auxiliary electrode and they attending advantageous features thereof are obtained.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown an electrolytic cellA l comprising a` casing 2 in which a plu-- rality of electrodes or trays 3, which are held in spaced relation by suitable supporting members 8a. An electrolyte 4 may be disposed between the various trays 3 which may be disposed inthe casing Q in any suitable manner, as indicated at 5. The trays or electrodes 3 may be formed of any suitable ilm-forming material, such as titanium, magnesiumor aluminum, andthe electrolyte Il may be of any desirable composition. The extreme upper and lower trays each serve as a single electrode for one cell unit, but the intermediate trays act as electrodes for adjacent cell units by being disposed in contact with the electrolyte 4. The various trays B'containing the electrolyte 4t comprise a plurality of cell units made up, for example, at the bottom of the stacked trays by the upper surface of the lower tray and the under surface of the next tray. This constitutes one cell unit while the next cell unit is formed by the electrolyte engaging the upper surface of the tray second from the bottom and the lower surface of the next tray in the series. The various trays 3, together with the electrolyte 4, constitute an electrolytic condense-r or lightning arrester which `may be connected from a supplyline 6 to ground by `conductors .7 and 8, the conductor SWbeing; connected to the topl tray, and the conductor 7 being" connected t the lower tray of the series. The number of trays or electrodes employed depends upon the voltage of the supply circuit which must be divided up between the various cell units of the condenserl.

The voltage may be uniformly divided among the various units by connecting a primary winding 9 to two adjacent electrodes of a cell unit and a secondary winding l() may be connected` at one side, to one electrode to which the primary winding is connected and, at its other side, to an adjacent plate of the next cell unit in series. The primary and secondary windings of the small transformersare thus connected to the cell units and equalize the voltage between the cell units because the voltage of each secondary winding is the same as the voltage of each primary winding and the adjacent cells must, therefore, have the same voltage impressed upon them. The transformers connected to the condenser 1 are cisposed about the condenser, but are shown in Fig. 2 in displaced relation, in order to clarify the manner of connecting them. Fig. 1 illustrates the manner in which the transformers wouldy bedisposed within the casing 2 in practice. Ordinarily, the number of cell units will be suiliciently great to require a sufficient number of the small transformers to extend completely around the casing. The transformers need not be disposedA in any particular relation with respect to the casing, or the trays, except as required by the space in which they must be confined.

A distinct advantage is obtained by employing a plurality of small transformers which are connected to the various cell units, as above described, in that the voltage is equally divided between the cell units and the transformers are not expensive to construct. The employment of the transformers obviat'es the necessity of utilizing some external means to equalize the'voltage between the cell units which would necessitate the passing of a multiplicity of hightension leads through the casing. The transformers are not subjected to exceptionally high voltages and, for this reason, do not require exceptionally heavy insu'- lation. rThe voltage between the windings of the small transformers, and between the windings and the core of each transformer, is only that corresponding to a single cell, which will ordinarily not exceed 300 volts.

ln Fig. 3 is shown a modied formy of inf invention .in which auxiliary electrodes` l1 are employed, which are preferably of less area than thev main electrodes The auxiliary electrodes 1,1 are disposed between the main electrodes and may be of the same material and of the same generalv dimensions. The decreased area of the auxiliary electrodes may be Vobtained by employing either perforated plates or plates constructed of coarse mesh material. fi-In the form of condenser yshown in Fig. 3, however, it is essential, in order toobtain the advantages `of the 4auxiliary electrode, that the'primary windings l2`ibe provided with additionalfl turns, so that each auxiliary electrode may 4rester or the like comprising aplurality of be connected to one of the main 'electrodes in such manner that the number` of turns* fra'lity of film-forming electrodes and a suitable electrolyte and means for equalizing the ofthe windings l2 included between each ofthe auxiliary electrodes l1 andone of the main electrodes is greater than lthe number of turns included betweeni the main 'electrodes connected iby the primary windings 12. The secondary windings 13-are connected in substantially the samemanner as 'described for the #condenser 1, shown in Figs. l and 2.

The primary windings, of the "small transformers employed in thecell'shown in Fig.

3have additionalturns in orderthat the' auxiliary-electrodes may have a higher voltage impressed upon them than is impressed upon the mainelectrodes. Certain advantages are obtained from such a combination because each auxiliary electrode assures that its main electrodes shall be maintained positive at all times with re .l spect to the electrolyte. It will, of course,

be understood that the number of turns in the primary windings betw'een the `main electrodes and the number of turns in the secondary vwindings are the same, so that a ratio of transformation of l is obtained, as in the cell shown in Figs. l and 2.

Although I have shown the cells as constructed by employing trays ot film-forming material for electrodes, it will be obvious that electrodes of various shapes may be utilized to construct a cell in accordance with my invention. My invention broadly comprises the employment of a practical means for insuring an equal division of voltage between various cell units which constitute an electrolytic condenser or lightning arrester and is not restricted to any particular form of construction of the cell.

An electrolytic cell, constructed in accordance with my invention and connected in series with va power circuit, aifords absolute protection to electrical apparatus connected therein because any tendency` to suddenly increase the voltage of the circuit produces a short circuit to that high voltage through the condenser. Furthermore, the protective action of the condenser is established immediately when a surge of energy is caused in the circuit. f

Although I have shown and specifically therefore, thatno limitations shall be yimposed except such as are indicated inthe l'appended claims., i v

"1. Any electrolytic condenser, lightning larcell units, eachl cell lunit -including ay pluvoltage between the cell. units, said means including a` winding connected betweenA the n electrodesof one unit andanother winding inductivelyrelated to the first winding'and fconnected toadjacent cell units.

An electroly'tic condenser, lightning arrester-'or the likecomprising a plurality of electrolyte and means for equalizingfthe including awinding connected to the elec- "cell units', each cell unit including a plurality i foi" hlm-forming electrodes and a suitable '85 v vvoltage Ibetween 'the 'cell unitsfsaid" means trodes of one unit and another winding,hav-

ing the same number of turns and inductively related to the first winding, connected to the cell unit containing the first winding and to an adjacent cell'unit,`

3. An electrolytic condenser, lightning arrester or the like comprising a plurality of cell units, each cell unit including a plurality of electrodes, an auxiliary electrode and a suitable electrolyte,n1ea`ns for equalizing the voltage between the cell units and means for impressing a higher voltage on the auxiliary `electrode than is impressed upon the other electrodes. l

4. An electrolytic condenser, lightning ar-4 rester or the like comprising a plurality of cell units, eachcell unit including a `plurality of film-forming electrodes, an auxiliary film-forming electrode of less area than the other electrodes and a suitable electro-` inductively related to the first winding, connected t0 the cell unitv containing the -first winding and to an adjacent cell unit.

6. An electrolytic condenser, lightning arrester or the like comprising a plurality of cell units, each cell unit including a plurality of electrodes, an auxiliary electrode, a suitable electrolyte, a winding connected Vto the electrodes and to the auxiliary electrode 0f each cell lunit and another winding, having the same number of turns e as the firsty Winding to which it is inductively related, connected tothe cell unit including the first winding and to an adj acont cell unit.

7. An electrolytic condenser", lightning :1r-

rester o1` the likeicor-npris'ing a plurality olfk .cell units, each cell unit including a plul oit turns :1s the number of turns in the rst winding included between. the matin electrodes, incluctlrely related to the first Winding and connected to the cell unit containing the first Winding and to an adjacent. cell unit.

8. An ,electrolytc condenser, lightning arrester or thev like comprising `a plurality: of cell? units,eacl1.cell unit including a, plurality of main electrodes, an auxiliary ele@- troele of less .area than the mai-n electrodes, e suitable electrolyte, at` Winding; so connected to the main electrodes and to the auxiliary electrode of each cell unit as to include a less number of turns between the mainelectrodesthan between `one main electrode and the auxiliary elect-rode and anether winding, having the samenumber f turns as the number of turns in the first Winding included between the main electrodes, incluctiwfel-yrelated tothelrst Winding and eonneetedl totlecegll unit containing; the tirst windingtnclto an adjacent cell unit, y

. In testimony whereof, I have` hereunto Subscribed nryname this 8th day of December, l3l9. y t

" JOSEPH; SLEPIAN. 

